99 Station Street

This is a great tradition, which was brought back to life after over 300 years of the method ceasing to be used. West Country Farmhouse Cheddar on it’s own is a very distinct product which carries EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). To gain certification, which can take a couple of years, the product must be “produced, processed and prepared within a particular geographical area, and with features and characteristics which must be due to the geographical area.”. Ford Farm does all of these things in addition to being the only producer in the UK who cave ages the cheese.

Wookey Hole Caves - Aged cheddar

The cheese is wrapped in cloth and stored at the steady temperature of 11 degrees centigrade with a humidity of 100%. This is as close to perfection in conditions for optimal aging of the cheese. Sometimes, it is quoted as between 12 and 14 degrees, but the slightly lower temperature allows for a slower aging and the development of richer flavour. The legal requirement is that West Country farmhouse cheddar has to be matured for a minimum of nine months after being removed from it’s mould.

Currently, this is one of fourteen cheese that have EU protected names in the UK, four of which are local to our own area. The craft of cheesemaking has seen a resurgence and the passion that is put into the produce is commendable with very tasty results.